Voyages of discovery

Under Royal commission, in 1497 Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot) and his crew set out from Bristol in the little wooden ship “The Matthew” seeking an alternative sea route to the east for spice trading.

Sailing west, they discovered Newfoundland, the North American continent, and the rich North Atlantic cod fishing grounds.

This extraordinary adventure is celebrated in the church by a whalebone, brought back by Cabot, a fine model of the Matthew (above the north door) and a stained glass window showing John, three of his sons who sailed with him, and their brave little ship.

The Matthew

A model of Cabot's ship which can be foud above the interior of the entrance from the inner North Porch.

Cabot's whalebone

The whalebone, reputedly brought back from Cabot's 1497 voyage, can be seen in St John's Chapel.

The Cabot stained glass windows

This superb series of stained glass windows in the south transept,depicts Cabot, his sons and his ship The Matthew.

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